Technical Design Assistant
Role summary
Short Story, a technology-powered retailer for petite women, seeks a Technical Design Assistant to support the creation of flawlessly made styles. This role involves building tech packs, measuring samples, managing fit session logistics, capturing fit comments, and maintaining development data. The ideal candidate will partner with Technical Design, Merchandising, and Sourcing teams, and global vendors. Responsibilities include creating and updating tech packs, measuring development samples, preparing for and documenting fit sessions, and ensuring data accuracy. The position requires strong attention to detail, understanding of technical development, and proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Google Sheets. Experience with pattern or 3D apparel software is a plus.
Our Story:
Short Story is an award winning, technology powered retailer dedicated to petite women 5'4" and under. Our mission is to create a seamless shopping experience for millions of petite women so they can dress with effortless confidence.
As a fast-growing startup, we're revolutionizing retail with a data driven learning system that leverages customer feedback to create tailored products. We've been recognized by top publications like Forbes, Fortune and are backed by leading investors who share our vision of building the world's next great consumer brand.
Our Values:
We're building a company with intention and purpose. Our culture thrives on data insights, exceptional commitment to fit, and the urgency to move quickly on what matters.
✨ Transform Lives. We're customer-first. Everything we create exists to give her confidence.
⚡️ Demand Excellence. We deliver only our best work, in Fit and Finish. We obsess about details others overlook.
💪 Embrace Challenges. We see obstacles as opportunities to invent better solutions.
💡 Think Differently. We get a thrill from finding better solutions others haven't seen.
We are looking for a Technical Design Assistant to help turn design vision into flawlessly
made styles, just for petites. This role requires a high level of precision, timely execution, and knowledge of the product development lifecycle—from fabric through production with a special focus on fit process. You will build tech packs, measure samples, run fit session logistics, capture fit comments, and keep our development data clean. You’ll partner closely with Technical Design, Merchandising and Sourcing teams, as well as global vendor partners. This role requires a strong attention to detail, an understanding of technical development and creative operations to ensure our products align with both business and customer expectations.
The ideal candidate is solution-oriented, proactive, and thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Key Responsibilities
Create initial tech packs for key categories. Update tech packs and BOMs for factories.
Measure development samples against spec before fittings, and flag deviations ahead of the sessions.
Check construction & measure development fit samples against technical specifications, making sure they were sampled or produced as requested.
Set up and prepare for weekly fittings - ensuring all samples are accounted for and properly prepped and staged.
Take accurate notes in fit sessions.
Support team in execution of fit comments for key categories - adding notes, technical sketching, data entry.
Timely data maintenance of WIP and Fit Notes Tracker to ensure up to date reporting across the WIP platform.
Monitor WIP deadlines and workflow - manage deliverables with the team.
Track, check in & organize fit samples in-work through approval.
Maintain and organize development fit samples when in house.
Support team in efficiency and speed-to-market.
Requirements
This position requires 5 days per week onsite at our San Francisco Headquarters.
Qualifications
BFA in fashion or the equivalent.
Demonstrated measurement accuracy. You will complete a measurement exercise as part of the interview process.
Understanding of garment construction.
Understanding of development processes and workflow.
Adobe Illustrator and ability to sketch flat sketches.
Strong command of Google Sheets and data tools.
Nice to have: Understanding of apparel and pattern software (gerber, optitex). Knowledge of 3D apparel software (e.g., CLO3D, Browzwear) a plus.
What we’re looking for
Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining accuracy and efficiency.
Creative and/or innovative problem-solving skills.
Short Story is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and a work environment free of discrimination and harassment for all employees and applicants. We work diligently to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
